Saturday, November 4, 2023 - pre-registration required (all pre-registration spots are full)

For families in need of support:

You can come on November 4th, 2023 between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. without an appointment. It is first come, first serve and last entry is at 3:30 p.m. to see if there are any donations left. No appointments are available before 1:00 p.m.

If  we are unable to support your family or if you have an urgent need, you can also refer to this booklet for a list of thrift stores and sharing shops here.

Our Location: BGC London - 184 Horton Street East (Google Maps).

Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:30 p.m.)

There are no guarantees that you will receive everything you need for your children/youth. Winter coats are available while donations last.

If you receive coats from another organization, please do not come so that other families can benefit.

If you have any questions, please contact Oroma at BGC London, 519-434-9115 ext. 266 (English only) or KoatsForKids@bgclondon.ca.

Important Information:

• When picking up coats, you must show proof of age for each child/youth receiving a coat.
• Your children/youth do not have to come with you.
• Coats are not available for parents/caregivers.

Accepted forms of proof include one of the following:

1. Government-issued IDs with birth dates for each child/youth (ex. birth certificate, health card, passport, immigration document, status card)
2. OW/ODSP stub (must be from the year 2023)
3. Canada Child Benefit document
4. E-mail or written note from caseworker, support worker, teacher/educator which lists the children's/youth's ages and the writer's contact information

Note: We will NOT be making copies or keeping any documents.

Please make sure to wash and dry all clothing received before wearing them.

About Koats for Kids

“Koats for Kids” is a community service of BGC London with area businesses and service clubs acting as partners in this very worthwhile undertaking – to ensure that children and youth are warm in the winter! Members of the Horton Street 50+ Centre, Club staff, students and community volunteers help distribute gently used coats and winter outer apparel to members and their families, and to the community until donations run out.

One coat will be given to each child/youth (0 to 18 years old) free of charge while quantities last. Proof of age will be required for each individual receiving a coat. Children and youth don't have to be present to receive a coat but proper identification is required.

Coats are not available for anyone over the age of 18. However, we do accept donations of adult size coats for youth.

Support Koats for Kids

Help us ensure that all children and youth are safe and warm this winter by donating to Koats for Kids! Our goal is to distribute hundreds coats to children and youth ages 0-18 and we need your help.

Please consider making a monetary donation to the campaign, dropping off items, or helping us spread the word.

All monetary donations are used to buy new coats for children and youth.

Donate Online:

Make an online donation using one of our secured, online donation pages - Zeffy or CanadaHelps.

Donate by Mail:

184 Horton Street East, London, ON N6B 1K8
Please make the cheque out to “Boys and Girls Club of London” and write “Koats for Kids” in the memo.

Donation Drop-off (until October 27, 2023)

We are grateful for our community partners who are helping us collect donations. In addition to the Club, these locations are open during their business hours to accept donations (unless otherwise written).

• Anderson Ales - 1030 Elias St.
• Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre - 656 Elizabeth St.
• Coakleys - 57 York St Unit 2
• East Lions Community Centre - 1731 Churchill Ave.
• Four Points by Sheraton - 1150 Wellington Road South
• Highbury North Pet Hospital - 1-1570 Highbury Rd. N.
• Huron Flooring - 782 York St.
• Ilderton Community Centre - 13168 Ilderton Rd.
• London International Airport (near the Tim Horton's inside) - 10 Seabrook Way
• London Volleyball Club - only on Oct. 16 PUBLIC drop off location at Saunders Secondary 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Norma Peterson Fashions - 142 Fullarton St. (inside Talbot Shopping Centre)
• Oakridge Acres Optimist Club - 825 Valetta St. (at Oakridge Arena, red door). Only on October 14th and 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. both dates.
• Orr Cleaners - 1292 Commissioners Road W.
• rev3K - 1249 Hyde Park Rd Building C.
• Santé Dental - 1550 Highbury Ave N.
• Thorndale – Youth Clubhouse at 160 King St., 2nd Floor

Drop off at BGC London:

8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (except on PD Days and holidays)
BGC London (the Boys and Girls Club of London)
184 Horton Street East
London, ON N6B 1K8

We collect winter coats and winter outerwear in new and like-new condition. We look for:

• Winter coat – especially for boys ages 8-14 (Youth Medium, Youth Large, and Youth Extra Large) and adult-sized coats for youth of all genders
• Snow pants (all sizes)
• Store-bought hats, gloves, and scarves (we have an oversupply of hand-made items – thank you!)
• Snow boots in child, youth, and adult sizes (please double check snow boots for holes and gaps in the soles and stitching)
• Vests
• Winter coats and snow pants that need MINOR mending are accepted - please make sure to note on the bag that there are items that need mending so we can quickly send it to Fashion Fit.

We cannot accept:

• ANY items with large holes and tears, stains, pet fur, smells or are visibly dirty
• Fall, spring, or rain coats
• Boots not suitable for the snow, such as fashion or rain boots, running shoes, or slippers
• Sweaters, shirts, or pants

Please wash and bag all donations prior to drop-off at BGC London or one of our community drop-off locations. To ensure that all families have access to affordable winter clothing, we ask that you do not buy items from thrift stores or second-hand stores to donate to us. Thank you for your understanding.

Koats for Kids Partners

Thank you to the students and faculty at Fanshawe College's Fashion Design program (Fashion Fit) for mending rips and tears, and replacing zippers on winter coats and snow pants.

For more information, to volunteer or if you have any questions, please contact:

Christina Yung
Executive Assistant and Fund Development
519-434-9115 ext. 241
KoatsForKids@bgclondon.ca